MADISON, WI – Today, Sen. Kris Dassler-Alfheim, Sen. Jamie Wall, WEAC President Peggy Wirtz-Olsen, and community member Amy Nasr held a press conference highlighting the consequences of Republican education funding policies. They warned that those decisions have trapped taxpayers and students in a costly, unsustainable cycle of recurring school referendums.

This spring, 72 school districts are facing the impossible question of whether to raise their own property taxes or allow their children’s schools to go underfunded. A question that Senate Democrats recognize is entirely avoidable. Senate Democrats are committed to funding public education, reducing the number and frequency of these referendums, and lowering property taxes across Wisconsin.

State Senator Jamie Wall on the burden referendums place on our state:  

  • “Republicans have run the state legislature for fifteen years. Over that time, Wisconsin has steadily fallen behind other states in per capita funding for schools.”
  • “Now, that’s a choice. But they haven’t been willing to stand on their hind legs and defend it. So they’ve left school referendums as a safety valve. If referendums pass, the local property taxpayer picks up the Republicans’ tab. If they fail, school kids pick it up instead in the form of larger class sizes and fewer options.”
  • “The net result is a lot of divisive politics and a steady shift of school funding onto the local property tax.”

State Senator Kris Alfheim on the failures of Republican legislators:

  • “Republicans in Madison have decided that these schools closing, these folks losing their jobs, is a price they’re willing to pay. Despite our budget surpluses and our rainy day fund, they are more than willing to pass the buck onto us.”
  • “Their inaction means that we have to make the decision of whether or not to pay more in property taxes and whether or not we’re comfortable seeing more of our schools close.”
  • “These referendums aren’t a failure of you, our teachers, or our school districts. They are a direct result of a massive failure in leadership from the Republican controlled legislature.”

WEAC President Peggy Wirtz-Olsen on the state of public education in Wisconsin:

  • “Our schools cannot run on goodwill and referendums, and here’s what powerful educators like me are done waiting. Along with inspiring the next generation and passing referendums to keep the school doors open and the lights on, we’re organizing. We’re organizing with families and neighbors for a Wisconsin that values every student and every educator.”